What generator???

[Mudman]

I would like opinions on which generators are good and not good.  I would like one which will power a travel trailer, air compressors and saws, and have just enuff poop to hook up to house and keep the refridgerator and well operable.  Im thinking I need both 120v and 240v at about 3000watt to 5000watt?  I dont want any bigger than I need.  Dont want to power entire house.  Fuel consumption and noise and quality are a concern as well as price.  I know hondas and yamahas are good but what about the rest???  Coleman powermates and Champions seem to get good reviews??

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

HONDA!

[luckyman]

5000w is the minimum to do what you want. You're going to have a lot noise unless you go with something of quality like the Honda eu6500. The champion with get you buy but it will be loud.

[HUNTIN4SIX]

I own a champion 4000w. It powers our 5th wheel ac, heater, microwave, etc... for 8+ hrs.  8yrs no problems.  It is quiet for what you get, not like a Honda obviously.  If money is not an issue buy a Honda, much more quiet.

[ICEMAN]

5000w is the minimum to do what you want. You're going to have a lot noise unless you go with something of quality like the Honda eu6500. The champion with get you buy but it will be loud.

I own a Honda eu6500IS, at full throttle you can stand next to it and talk quietly and be heard. No BS. Go to a honda dealer and see for yourself. Bring you wallet too cause they cost an arm and a leg, but worth it.

[rosies or bust]

Try solar1234.com. Steven Harris is brilliant. Listen to his podcast. He gives the info for free and discusses all the pros and cons of ALL generators. Plus he'll tell you how to use it properly.

[splitshot]

i have a honda 1000 and a yamaha 2000 and love them both.   need the yamaha to make coffee and run a microwave.  you might get a 3000 or more.  take out a loan.  mike w

[follow maggie]

Honda if you can afford it. If not you can make the others a lot quieter with a cheap motorcycle muffler.

[EDT]

Coleman Powermate's are made by another company now, not Coleman, you can get the powermate at Home Depot.  they are not bad either, they run well and give good power.  They are a whole lot less expensive than Honda and I am happy with it, I have the 3750 model.

All of that said, I really like Honda's.  If you can afford a Honda - GO FOR IT.  If you cannot quite afford a honda, the Powermate is a great alternative.

[Jburke]

The champions that cabelas sells are not that loud I didn't think.  Obviously not as quiet as a honda but the price difference is crazy.  They have sales on them once in awhile also.  I got the 4000 peak watt generator with the weekender package at cabelas for 400 on sale last sept. for my dad's 27' travel trailer.  I think it was well worth the money   

[fly-by]

Consider 2 Honda eu2000i units and a parrallel cable to connect them.  It's a litlle more pricey but there are lots of advantages:

1)  Redundancy. Chance of both breaking down at once are small. You may not have 4k, but you're almost guarnateed to always have 2k.
2)  Fuel efficiency.  If you are idling a lot, or running sub 2000 watt loads, you will use less gas than running one big unit.
3)  Each one only weighs 46lbs dry. Easy to move around and pack into small spaces.
 
Only downside is the internal tanks are kind of small at 1.1 gal.  I have an 8 gallon tank made for marine use plumbed to some aluminum replacement fuels caps and the pair will run a loooooong time.

[Mudman]

I bought the Champion 4000watt.  There is several models to choose of this so be carefull.  I got the one with 240v 120v and the RV plug.  68 decibals, it is pretty quiet for a bigger gen.  No Honda but you can stand next to it and talk.  Cant hear it in house or trailer.  4gallons run it 12 hours 50% load.  I like it.  Online Tractor Supply store I paid 299.99.  Seems well built and starts easily.

[NRA4LIFE]

I bought the Yamaha (only a 1000) over the Honda for several reasons.  They're quieter, a little cheaper and has a longer run time.

[Fl0und3rz]

Consider 2 Honda eu2000i units and a parrallel cable to connect them.  It's a litlle more pricey but there are lots of advantages:

1)  Redundancy. Chance of both breaking down at once are small. You may not have 4k, but you're almost guarnateed to always have 2k.
2)  Fuel efficiency.  If you are idling a lot, or running sub 2000 watt loads, you will use less gas than running one big unit.
3)  Each one only weighs 46lbs dry. Easy to move around and pack into small spaces.
 
Only downside is the internal tanks are kind of small at 1.1 gal.  I have an 8 gallon tank made for marine use plumbed to some aluminum replacement fuels caps and the pair will run a loooooong time.

I have a Honda eu1000i and a larger 6500 KW unit. 

Kind of the same thing,  but you cannot link them. 

[TheHunt]

Try solar1234.com. Steven Harris is brilliant. Listen to his podcast. He gives the info for free and discusses all the pros and cons of ALL generators. Plus he'll tell you how to use it properly.

Great site....  Thanks for sharing